Exposure to radiographic contrast dye during coronary angiography is well known to cause either transient decreases in renal function or acute renal failure. Although the overall incidence is low, acute renal failure occurs most frequently in patients with both diabetes and chronic renal failure where the average reported incidence is upwards of 20%. The etiology of contrast-induced nephropathy is related to acute decline in renal blood flow following dye exposure resulting in ischemic injury at the level of the medulla. The development of acute renal failure following radiocontrast dye administration is significant because it contributes to morbidity and mortality in patients at risk.